Following Rescue, Trapped Hikers Cited For Engaging In Unsafe Activities

CALABASAS (CBSLA.com) — Four hikers who were stranded overnight in a remote area of Malibu Creek State Park were cited Sunday for engaging in unsafe recreation activities after being rescued.

The four were helicoptered out of the remote area early Sunday morning.

California State Parks rangers ticketed the four men — Long Beach residents aged 25 to 26 — according to Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Parker.

The group went hiking during flash flood warnings and got trapped on rocks between several rain-swollen canyons, Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Roland Sprewell said.

A elicopter dispatched to the scene Saturday evening was unable to reach the hikers.

They were finally able to connect with rescuers shortly after 3 a.m. and then were airlifted to safety.

A search team of 35 people had been on the scene Saturday night and early this morning and described it as a “high-risk” rescue.

“The creek where the hikers are located is rising with each intermittent rainfall and they are trapped by a high wall,” Los Angeles County Sheriff’s spokesman Capt. Mike Parker said overnight.

“The area is very dark and the only lighting available to rescuers is via their helmet lights and flashlights,” Parker said. “The ground is slippery. Rescuers must hike in to get to the area where the hikers are likely located.”

The hikers’ rescue was further complicated by their cell phones losing power.